Two weeks till Christmas! And while it seems the holidays are busy for everyone – imagine being part of your city’s best-known holiday production. More than a dozen West Seattle students, from a second-grader up to a 12-grader, are part of the Pacific Northwest Ballet‘s “Nutcracker“ this year, and in case you’re among the many people going to see it as its run continues through December 27th, we thought you’d like to know. From the list provided by PNB:
Calista Burke-Conte, “Small Servant,” Seattle Country Day School third-grader Celeste Burke-Conte, “Infantry,” Seattle Country Day School sixth-grader
Keegan Daley (above photo), “Toy Theater Boy,” Madison sixth-grader Sebastian Fanucchi, “Infantry,” Sanislo fifth-grader Nikolas Jordan, “Party Boy,” Westside School fourth-grader Megan Kennedy, “Chinese,” The Center School twelfth-grader Ailee Knauff, “Baby Mouse,” Lafayette second-grader Carlin Kramer, “Fighting Mice Woman,” homeschooled/Running Start eleventh-grader George Legler, “Little Boy,” Westside School second-grader Vanessa Lincoln, “Tall Servant,” Seattle Country Day School seventh-grader Benjohn Magcalas, “Toy Theater Boy,” West Seattle Elementary fourth-grader Luchlan Munteanu, “Infantry,” Sanislo fifth-grader Tayler Nguyen, “Little Boy,” Arbor Heights second-grader Flynn Schuehle, “Tall Servant,” Seattle Girls School seventh-grader Erica Schwartz, “Tall Servant,” McMurray-Vashon seventh-grader Nathanlel Solis, “Fighting Mice Man,” West Seattle HS eleventh-grader Fletcher Weld, “Toy Theater Boy,” Tilden School fifth-grader
PNB points out that you won’t see all of these students in every performance, as they have “two and a half casts” of participating children/teenagers. (P.S. Photo above was shared by Keegan Daley’s mom Sue – if you are a parent of any of the other West Seattleites in the cast, we’d be happy to add more photos – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)
If you’re out in public with the art you put your heart and soul into, it helps to have a cheering section nearby. If our photo’s angle were a bit wider, you would see Rose Jarvey‘s mom off to the left. Rose is one of the artists showing and selling their wares at WSB sponsor C & P Coffee‘s Holiday Arts/Crafts Fair right now, till 2 pm (5612 California SW). It’s all about family over in the other corner of C & P’s front room:
That’s micro-photographer extraordinaire Machel Spence (who has shared work here on WSB many a time) and daughter India – while mom’s known for photographing tiny marvels, India created these:
Feet away, Barbara Noonan was using coffee and croissant as a still-life inspiration for another chalk creation:
We’re now out on the bazaar beat. As previewed in our “West Seattle Saturday” lineup this morning, there’s an abundance of places to check out arts and crafts today, in addition to shopping at our area’s fine stores. Till 3 pm, there’s the annual holiday bazaar at Schmitz Park Elementary:
On the east side of the cafeteria, don’t miss the students whose crafts are raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank. (Post-bazaar update – We’re told they raised almost $100 for the food bank!) In other sections of the bazaar, you’ll find other student vendors (as well as adults):
Jack Bennett and Ben Godwin (in the aviator’s cap), both Schmitz Park first-graders, are selling airplanes and comics. Nearby, fourth-grader Blake is selling handmade duct-tape wallets:
Lots to check out at 5000 SW Spokane till 3.
On to Freshy’s Coffee in the Admiral District, where there are a few vendors outside and more inside:
In the foreground is the work of Starheadboy (who told us he also has a display up at Red Cup Espresso through this month). Inside – perfect for today’s weather – you’ll find warm hats (and more) from Maxx Designs:
Winners will be posted later today on the competition’s Facebook page. Meantime, last we heard, Olio was still open to new members – follow the name link above to get to their official site and find out more.
Under the direction of Rob Duisberg, that’s the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Symphony Orchestra, rehearsing Bartok’s “Rumanian Folk Dances” last night in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School. Tonight, that’s where you will find them and the WSCO’s Flute Ensemble in concert, 7 pm. The program also includes works by Dukas, Grieg, Elgar, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, Liszt, and “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson. The concert is free; a $5 donation is suggested (WSCO is a nonprofit all-volunteer community organization).
Shop local, shop handmade! The three-day holiday gift fair with Native American arts/crafts vendors at the Duwamish Longhouse is under way – with even more to choose from than last year (when weather was a bit problematic)! Above, Margie Morris (Tlingit) and Ron Alphonse (Cowichan) are back – we remember the stockings and angels, in particular, from last year. You’ll also find several jewelry artists, including White Bear:
Terrance Guardipee (Blackfeet)’s booth features his paintings:
And Feather Keepers by artist Dean Rowe offers beautiful wooden boxes:
If you haven’t been there, the Duwamish Longhouse is on the eastern edge of West Seattle, 4705 West Marginal Way SW (map). The gift fair runs till 5 today and again 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and Sunday.
Next Friday, the Chief Sealth International High School band marches in the Macy’s Holiday Parade downtown. In the meantime – this is the final week of their competition in an online “Battle of the Bands” and they are requesting your help. From Sealth junior Emma Pierce:
The Chief Sealth Band is participating in KZOK’s Battle of the Bands competition, in which the winning high school band will receive a $10,000 grand prize. The first round of the judging is based on votes texted in from listeners. We are encouraging everyone to text their vote to help the Chief Sealth Band make it into the finals. We’re the only Seattle Public School participating this year, so a win for Chief Sealth is a win for the district!
To support the Sealth Band, text “rock18″ to 24300. The system will accept up 1 vote per day from the same number. Voting runs to November 25th. As of now there’s only one week left and we need all the help we can get! Following the first round of judging, a panel of judges will ultimately judge the video submissions on their musicianship to choose the winning band, but we need texted votes to make it into the final round of judging.
Videos of the high school bands participating are available online at here and will begin appearing on Comcast on Demand. You can watch Chief Sealth’s video (here, and/or above). Go Seahawks!! Thank you so much!
Again, just grab your phone to vote – text rock18 to 24300.
5-8 pm tonight, it’s your first of three chances to browse and shop this year’s Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show. It’s at Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California SW; we dropped by a bit earlier this afternoon for a quick peek, and spotted the Fauntleroy Y Piecemakers – who are the only participants displaying their work, not selling it. Here’s the list of participants. If you can’t get there tonight, 11 am-3 pm tomorrow and 11 am-1 pm on Sunday.
(Photo by Janet Sherwood)
This weekend, you just might see film crews out and about, as West Seattle’s Corwood Productions shoots its next production at six locations, including five in West Seattle, over the next three days. Here’s the official announcement:
Corwood Productions, creators behind the Seattle-based TV pilot “The Divine Marigolds,” is gearing up to shoot a new film, titled “All My Presidents,” Nov. 18-20th in West Seattle. All My Presidents is a short film created by West Seattle resident and executive producer Sarah Mackay as a tribute to her grandfather. All My Presidents is about a young boy who, after losing his father, grabs ahold of the only thing left, the ideology of US Presidents. The film is set in 1954 through 1992 and explores the coming of age in a political world and finding your own voice.
Nathan Gamble, the star of movies such as “Dolphin’s Tale,” “Dark Knight” and “Marley and Me,” lives in Washington State and will star in All My Presidents. “We are excited to have Nathan on board. It is a testament to our Northwest star talent giving back to the local film community,” says producer/actor Lisa Coronado. “We are focused on bringing heartfelt, creative films that break the mold and are of high production value with top notch talent and crew,” says producer/actor Alder Sherwood.
All My Presidents is directed by Connor Hair, co-produced by Lorraine Montez of Abundant Productions, co-produced by Jeremiah Kaynor of Corvus Eye Productions. Director of Photography is Ryan Purcell and Rick Walters is 1st AD. Also starring David Hogan, Riley Donahue, Brian Sutherland, and other Seattle talent.
Tomorrow’s filming is happening in the Lake Union area, but the five West Seattle location shoots are set for Saturday and Sunday, in and around Admiral-area homes on Saturday, and in the Holy Rosary and “south end of California” areas on Sunday. Of course the movie has its own Facebook page and Twitter account.
Though West Seattle artist Debbie Numoto is gone, her art lives on – and it’s back at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) for the holiday season. Here’s the announcement from Illusions:
They’re Baaaaack!
Illusions is proud to announce that we are again featuring the “Snowman” artwork of West Seattle resident (the late) Debbie Dawn Numoto. Debbie was a long time client and friend of Illusions, and for over a decade she has been our featured artist on our art walls during the holiday season. Many knew her because of her many years of employment at NW Art and Frame.
Realizing that her artwork is one of the most highly anticipated showings each year, her family has graciously offered to loan us some of her favorite pieces and framed originals belonging to friends & family. These will not be for sale but will be featured for the public to come and view during regular business hours through the end of December. Fortunately her family has also provided a LIMITED number of her SIGNED prints from her collection available for $25 each.
If you never saw her work please stop by. If you have pieces hanging on your walls, this will be a great opportunity for one last time to admire the incredible life she gave to her many other paintings. Illusions has been honored to be able to showcase her paintings and are thankful for what Debbie has brought to our community as an artist and as a friend.
MAGAZINE FEATURES MACHEL SPENCE: The work of West Seattle nature photographer Machel Spence will be featured in the next edition of Natural History Magazine, on its way to bookstores and newsstands if it hasn’t arrived already. The photo above, which shows what Machel explains is “a species of slime mold at Lincoln Park,” is one of eight photos you’ll see in the three-page feature.
ANTHOLOGY INCLUDES STORY BY THOMAS P. HOPP: Fourteen West Coast authors, including West Seattle’s Thomas P. Hopp, have written stories comprising a new mystery e-book anthology called “West Coast Crime Wave.” Hopp’s story is titled “The Ghost Trees,” which he explains “refers to trees killed by loggers in old West Seattle, and to cedar trees killed in recent years by a new breed of bad guy, the tree poacher. These criminals take down trees illegally to make a little money in the cedar shake business, often to support a drug habit. When a tree poacher turns up dead in West Seattle’s Puget Creek Canyon, investigator Peyton McKean is called in to figure out ‘whodunnit’.” (Read a longer preview here.) “West Coast Crime Wave” was e-published by bstsller.com, which points you to this Amazon page to buy/access the anthology.
(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Pies tend to proliferate during the holiday season … and a pile of pies is emerging today in West Seattle thanks to the Bells of the Sound musical group, following its pie-a-thon this morning at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor).
The numbers are impressive: Wendy Hughes-Jelen tells us the group expects to make about 550 apple pies by the time this morning’s operation is over, using more than 1600 pounds of donated Jonagold apples from Oregon!
More than a third of the apple pies will be donated to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. The others have already been pre-sold to raise money for Bells of the Sound, a nonprofit handbell choir that’s going to be especially busy making music this holiday season – in fact, their holiday concert is just a few weeks away at Tibbetts, Friday, December 2nd (full details here).
Join WSCO’s Symphony Orchestra on November 29, Tuesday, at 7 pm in Chief Sealth International High School’s Auditorium for “Holiday Gifts.” Program highlights include the 2nd Movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #5, Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody and excerpts from Elgar’s Enigma.
On December 6 at 6:30 pm, WSCO’s Debut and Intermediate Orchestras along with the Endolyne Children’s Choir perform “The Joy of Music.” Highlights include Verdi’s Waltz from La Traviata, Bruce’s Fiesta Waltz, Mozart’s Symphony #25 along with holiday favorites Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Good King Wenceslas.
(Marcus Pimpleton directing CSIHS/WSHS musicians during last month’s Huling Bowl)
He is perhaps the most visible school-music leader in West Seattle – and he’s just won a big honor: KCTS has announced its latest list of “Golden Apple Awards,” and on the list of individual winners is Marcus Pimpleton, music director at Denny International Middle School and band director at adjacent Chief Sealth International High School, who also directs Seattle’s All-City Band. He’s the only West Seattle winner in this year’s awards, which will be presented at a ceremony next year; winners also receive a cash prize and will be profiled by Channel 9. Congratulations, Mr. Pimpleton!
ADDED 11:38 AM: We asked for his reaction, and here it is!
I am thankful to the parents who nominated me for this award and to KCTS and Pemco for the honor. It goes without saying that I am very proud of the work we are doing in the Denny and Sealth Music Programs as well as with the Seattle Schools All-City Band. I am excited about the opportunity that the KCTS Golden Apple Program provides to shine some light on our programs and students. None of the work we have engaged in would be possible if it were not for the high level of community support we have received, the parents who have volunteered and caught on to the vision of ensuring high level musical experiences and access to all students, the leadership of principals Jeff Clark and John Boyd who bought in to the vision for a 6-12 music pathway and had the conviction to lay the foundation for it, and most importantly the “buy in” of student leaders who commit themselves to participating in our student leadership programming and to mentoring peers and incoming students through our spring and midwinter break camps, our Junior All-City Band program, and in various other capacities too lengthy to mention here. It is with a great community of supporters that this award is shared. Thank you all.
Tonight at Locöl (35th/Kenyon) – Belgian musicians, and Belgian ale. West Seattle trumpeter/composer Chad McCullough is in the clip above (from a jazz festival last January) with Belgian musicians including the two who will join him tonight at Locöl – Bram Weijters (piano) and Piet Verbist (bass), both from Antwerp. Chad explains, “Both are really fine players, and are top-call jazz musicians in Belgium. Bram and I met in Canada at the 2009 Creative Music workshop at the Banff Centre. We’ve been playing together as much as possible for the last 3 years.” They released an album last year, “Imaginary Sketches,” on Seattle’s Origin Records, available via iTunes. Joining Chad, Bram, and Piet tonight will be Seattle drummer Matt Jorgensen. The event starts at 7:30 pm. Oh, and then there’s the beer – they’re pitting Westmalle Trappist Ale vs. Odin Belgian Strong Ale, and the publicity poster says “You can decide the winner!”
If you’re interested in a little shopping, a little art/craft appreciation, two things happening now:
RACHEL AUSTIN AT CLICK! Looking ahead to Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk for art! Artist Rachel Austin is at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction this afternoon. You can check out her “Cartography Series” during the reception continuing till 5 pm. Look closely at the painting she is standing next to (sent by Click! a short time ago) – see West Seattle’s outline?
CRAFT FAIR IN HIGH POINT: Didn’t get advance word of this one, or else it would have been in our morning preview, but Jennifer e-mailed to say that Bridge Park is hosting a craft fair till 4 pm at 3204 SW Morgan: “There are a variety of vendors here… Scentsy candles, handmade jewelry, scarves, holiday decor, African jewelry, historical photographs, handpainted plates and wineglasses, Usborne books, handmade cards, and an artist doing pastel portraits while you wait. There is a drawing for door prizes! Refreshments available as well.”
Big fall for Fauntleroy resident Donn Bennett. His eponymous Drum Studio in Bellevue has just been honored as “Best in Western Washington,” for musical instruments. And tomorrow, he’ll rally hundreds of drummers for the annual “Woodstick Big Beat” mega-drum charity-benefit event he organizes – not in West Seattle, but not that far, if you want to go help local children’s charities and see an inspiringly thunderous display of musicians’ teamwork. Donn says, “We’re featuring Danny Seraphine, original drummer from Chicago, and 7 other top pro drummers” – along with hundreds of Northwest drummers, gathering tomorrow at the Juanita Field House in Kirkland. The official announcement explains more:
They’ll join drummers in 15 cities across North America to set 2 new Guinness World Records for drummers playing a song simultaneously. One record for the most drummers playing a song in a single location, the other for the most drummers playing together via live internet connection. The entire international event will be directed from our Kirkland, WA, location.
Drummers in Birmingham England assembled 588 drummers in 2008 to beat our previous record of 533 set at Qwest Field in 2005. On November 6th 2011 we’ll attempt to bring the record back to the Northwest where it all started. All proceeds will go to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to purchase musical instruments for underfunded local schools and to Camp Korey, a camp in Carnation WA for kids battling serious illness.
The event is 2-4 pm tomorrow (Sunday), 10601 NE 32nd; doors open at 10 am. Admission is $12/participant (register online here), $10/spectator, all going to charity. Quite a sight and sound, as you’ll see on the highlight reel from last year (above) – especially once it gets to the overview of the entire Field House.
(Photos by John Hinkey unless otherwise credited) By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It was standing room only in Alki Elementary’s gymnasium Thursday night when students in Native American costumes held a Potlatch as part of an in-school cultural program created by Native American Artist and teacher Ronn Wilson.
A Potlatch is a traditional Native American ceremony that involves storytelling, song, dance, and gift-giving. Alki’s Potlatch was the culmination of a six-week Artist-in-Residence program called “Of Cedar and Salmon,” in which Wilson taught students the traditions and culture of Native Northwest Coast people. He’s been visiting the school twice a week for the past six weeks, sharing stories of how native cultures lived off the land, and teaching skills such as “good listening” and “showing respect.” He adds: “This is a very small piece of a big picture.”
Wilson painted the stage set; the students colored their headdresses as a school project. Kindergartener Freja showed us hers:
Students from all grades participated in drumming and performing dances such as “The Welcoming Dance” and “The Lightning Serpent Dance.” Wilson himself performed dances in elaborate costumes, including the headdress that didn’t just stick out its tongue — it stuck out a tongue with a frog on it.
The gift-giving portion of the Potlatch came at the end, when Wilson presented his own orca painting to the school, and former Principal Clover Codd(left) presented new Principal Chanda Oatis with a print of the painting:
Plus, each participating student got a poster showing the orca design and everyone present received bookmarks depicting the stage set designs.
Ronn Wilson says that beyond “getting kids to connect to Native American culture and tradition, I hope this is a catalyst for them to dig into their own history and connect to their elders.”
(“Spur” the guitarist – photo courtesy Skeleton Theatre)
The all-out animatronic extravaganza Skeleton Theatre is back this Halloween, confirms Maia Low, spouse of creator Chris Walker: “The show is basically the same this year – Bonaparte’s Reunion Concert. There is added video and more effects this year. We’ll be running the show from 6:00-9:00 pm on Monday, Oct. 31 and Tuesday, Nov. 1 on the hour and the half hour.” Bonaparte (get it?) is a legendary, albeit skeletal, rock band. Their video-recorded reminiscences, “Behind the Music” style, are part of the show, on a big screen over the animatronics onstage. You’ll find Skeleton Theatre in the yard (visible from the street) at 36th/Hanford (map). You can see our coverage from last year, including video, by going here. The show’s free, but the crew appreciates online donations to help cover expenses.
Halloween season seems to have started extra-early this year – with two weekends full of fun. Last Sunday, a macabre musical event spooked spectators at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) – the annual Halloween Piano Recital by students of John Van Lierop, Jr. He reports, “Students dressed in a variety of costumes and played their scary pieces on the piano. Even (the teacher) was dressed up as Santa Claus. Highlights of the evening included the well-known Toccata and Fugue by JS Bach as well as Dance Macabre by Saint-Saens. Fun party games such as a candy-corn relay race and musical chairs were enjoyed by all the students at the end of the recital!” Lots of Halloween events on the WSB Events calendar … and if you’re looking for the business-district trick-or-treat days/times, they’re all listed here.
You never know when you might see a star at Easy Street Records in The Junction. Of course, John Doe‘s appearance was announced two-plus weeks ahead of time, so this was no chance encounter, but still. Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan waved a copy of Doe’s newest CD “Keeper” while at the mike for the intro:
John Doe was warming up for an acoustic show scheduled a few hours later at the Tractor Tavern on the north side of town.
Next, he and his longtime band X hit the road, starting in New Orleans later this week, then joining Seattle’s own Pearl Jam for a swing through Central and South America (schedule here).
What could be scarier than creating art in front of an audience? The Halloween Art Jam is happening right now at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. When WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli stopped by about an hour ago, three artists were busily working – and a fourth was on the way, according to Feedback proprietor Jeff Gilbert. Above, that’s Eric Osborne; next, Steve Klinkel:
He told Christopher they’re expecting to keep going until at least 11 pm – so if you’d like to see the works in progress … which will eventually be available for sale, by the way – head on over to 6451 California SW – Vblast is part of the lineup too:
Jeff, ever the impresario, says he has another art event in the works — 10 artists, 10 easels, they all paint a portion of each one. But first – The Feedback has more Halloween fun to scare up – check out the calendar to see what’s up.
ANTHOLOGY INCLUDES STORY BY THOMAS P. HOPP: Fourteen West Coast authors, including West Seattle’s 
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